Government funding aids women’s economic security

The Government of Canada has invested in projects to help improve the economic security of women in the Niagara Region.

On Friday Sept. 7/2018 Niagara Centre MP Vance Badawey, on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of Status of Women, announced that the federal government is providing $269, 582 in funding to Solidarté des femmes et families immigrantes francophones du Niagara (SOFIFRAN) to be used in their project “Sécuriser les femmes du Niagara” (Securing women in the Niagara Region).

“In this 36-month project, SOFIFRAN will work with various partners to develop a practical and comprehensive child care and transportation model that addresses the needs of low-income francophone immigrant women facing barriers to employment,” a press release provided by MP Vance Badawey’s office said. “It will be tested in collaboration with partners in the region, and could become a best practice model for similar communities across Canada.”

“Women continue to be disproportionately affected by economic insecurity. In 2015, women in Canada earned just 87 cents for every dollar earned by men. They are also much more likely to work on a part-time basis, making up 76% of all part-time workers, with 25% of women reporting child care responsibilities as their reason for working part-time,” the release says. “Francophone immigrant women in rural areas who don’t have a car are often cut off from training, education and employment opportunities. This project will help address that challenge and bring many more women into the workforce. We are very pleased that the Government of Canada is supporting our project.”

“Our government knows that when we invest in women, we strengthen the economy for everyone, and that’s why these projects are so important: they are creating the right conditions for women to thrive in their careers – and their lives,” Minister Monsef said in the press release. “By funding organizations like Solidarité des femmes et familles immigrantes francophones du Niagara that will target the barriers holding women back, we are ensuring that all Canadians – regardless of gender – have a real and fair chance at success.

“Women make enormous contributions to economies, whether in businesses, on farms, as entrepreneurs or employees, or by doing unpaid care work at home,” Niagara Centre MP Badawey said in the release. “For a region like ours, where most cities are faced with factory and business closures, the significance of funding women’s economic programs ensures higher incomes, better access to and control over resources, and greater security, including protection from gender-based violence. I am so proud of our government for funding this project. Investing in women’s economic empowerment sets a direct path towards gender equality, poverty eradication and inclusive economic growth.”

Quick Facts

RBC Economics estimates that adding more women to the workforce could boost the level of Canada’s GDP by as much as 4 per cent.

McKinsey Global Institute estimates that by taking steps to advance equality for women—such as employing more women in technology and boosting women’s participation in the workforce—Canada could add $150 billion to its economy by 2026.